There may never have been a more challenging time in our culture for men to do soul work or to live into manhood in ways that are healthy, vital and constructive. As our society flees from religion and as our understandings of masculinity and manhood find themselves imbedded in culture wars, men need sanctuary and safe spaces where they can be vulnerable, can be heard, and can pause to listen and reflect. We are offering a time grounded in nature, in contemplative traditions like Celtic Christianity and Jungian Psychology, and in warm community shaped by story, music, art and ritual – a place to heal, restore, and reconnect with your deep purpose.

Located on the expansive lands of Mount Saint Francis, surrounded with rolling hills and the view of the Rocky Mountains, you will be invited into an immersive experience with the land including a night walk and tending an outdoor fire (depending on fire season).  You will also experience times of prayer, reflection, teaching, sharing, and much more.

Facilitators:

Cathy Hardy – Singer-Songwriter, Author, Founder of Soul Care ®

Dr. Russ Daye – Author, Minister, and Meditation Teacher

More about Cathy:

Cathy AJ Hardy is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and founder/director of Soul Care ®, offering courses in spiritual formation and direction. Facilitating programs of care for the soul, offering spiritual direction, and creating events such as retreats and concerts, Cathy is passionate to create safe spaces for individuals and groups to listen to what is the beauty of their soul.  A facilitator of soul work for the past two decades, Cathy is also the author of four books: Love Breathes with Me (2018), Walk with Me (2020), Love Breathes with Me II (2022), and Pause; A Year of Soulful Meditation (2023).  The past few years have brought opportunities to create soul care events geared especially for men and she has facilitated a Soul Care Men’s Circle for the past five years.

In addition to her passion for guiding others in their spiritual growth, Cathy is also a poet and award-winning singer-songwriter. She lives in Mission, B.C. among the mountains, rivers, and forests.

More about Russ:

Dr. Russ Daye has been a United Church minister for more than thirty years. During that time, he served congregations in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Toronto and taught at several theological colleges and universities after completing a Ph.D. in comparative religion. He has also worked on truth and reconciliation processes in Canada, South Africa, and Fiji.  Russ feels called to live at the intersection of spirituality and social justice, believing that the work of healing the world and healing one’s soul are inseparable.  He has written two books, Political Forgiveness: Lessons from South Africa (Orbis Books) and Turning Ourselves Inside Out: Thriving Christian Communities (Fortress Press, co-authored with Robert Fennell).

Along with Indigenous, Buddhist and African Nova Scotian leaders, Russ helped to create and lead the Transformational Leadership Initiative.  Russ also developed a spiritual practice program called Into the Geography of Spirit that combines spiritual practice and sharing circles to foster healing and ‘soul work.’